Condensing skeletal implant that facilitate insertions

ABSTRACT

A dental implant that facilitates insertion includes a body having a coronal end and an apical end opposite the coronal end. An implant-prosthetic interface region is provided adjacent the coronal end. A tapered region is adjacent the apical end. A variable profile helical thread extends along the tapered region. The thread becomes broader in the apical-coronal direction and higher in the coronal-apical direction. The threads include an apical side, a coronal side and a lateral edge connecting them. The variable profile thread includes an expanding length of the lateral edge while the distance of the lateral edge from the base is reduced in the direction of the coronal end. The implant also has a gradual compressing tapered core, a self drilling apical end with a spiral tap, and a coronal end with and inverse tapering.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/552,211 filed Sep. 1, 2009, which is a continuation of Ser.No. 10/558,260, filed Dec. 21, 2006, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/IL04/00438, filed May 23, 2004, whichclaims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) to IsraeliPatent Application No. 156033, filed May 21, 2003, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosures herein relate generally to bone anchorage implants andmore particularly to a screw form dental implant having a combination offeatures designed to produce bone condensation while insertion is easy.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many current screw-form dental implants are well designed for use indense bone. For example, the implant disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,897,319 has sharp cutting features at their apical ends that readilyfacilitate self-tapping into hard bone.

The osseous anatomy of the human jaw is complex. While the density ofthe bone in the anterior regions of the mandible and maxilla is high,the posterior regions, particularly in the maxilla, are of significantlylower density. The height of the bony ridge in the posterior maxilla canbe greatly reduced in partially or totally edentulous patients. This canlead to the need for use of shorter dental implants or graftingprocedures in order to increase the height of bone available for implantplacement.

Dental implant stability in low-density bone, such as that found in theposterior regions of the mandible and maxilla and in regenerated bone,can be difficult to achieve. Compaction of low density bone, such as bythe user of osteotomes, is commonly performed in order to enhance thestability of implants at the time of surgical placement.

Implants of various tapers and with various thread profiles are known inthe art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,527 describes a conicalimplant design that is placed into a cylindrical osteotomy site in orderto induce bone compression at the coronal aspect of the implant, i.e.,at its widest end.

A variety of thread profiles and patterns are known in the art. The mostcommon design involves a symmetrical, V-shaped appearance such as thatillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,319. A variable thread profile isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,723 and 5,527,183 which ismathematically optimized for stress transfer under occlusal loads. U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,797,113 and 3,849,887 describe dental implants with externalthread-like features having flat shelf facing the coronal end of theimplant. U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,868 discloses a thread design with a flatsurface disposed toward the apical end of the implant. This thread isnot variable over different points of the implant and does not produceboth cutting and compression actions as described herein. U.S. Pat. No.5,007,835 discloses a screw-type dental implant with rounded threads forproviding controlled radial osteocompressive force against the walls ofa pre-tapped bone site. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,630 discloses a method fordesigning dental implants to optimize and control stress transfer tosurrounding bone including a thread design that changes from a sharp,highly angled profile at the apical end of the implant to a flat, nearlysquare profile at the coronal end, the goal being to control the surfacearea presented to occlusal forces. U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,515 describes acondensing implant with a gradually enlarged thread width to enhancestability in low density bone.

As an implant is designed to be more condensing its insertion becomes amore difficult. It is also more difficult to control the position of theimplant since a condensing implant has a stronger tendency to slip intoa region with the lowest bone density.

Therefore, what is needed is an implant that enhances stability in lowdensity bone such as that formed in the posterior mandible and posteriormaxilla but is easily inserted and can be used also in regular bone andin hard bone. It is also needed that the implant will keep its path ofinsertion and will not slip towards regions with low bone density.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is of a skeletal screw that can be easily inserted insidebone and can be use in soft bone and hard bone. The followingdescription will focus on dental implants but all the details can beimplemented also in orthopedics for other regions of the body. Oneembodiment, accordingly, provides a dental implant that is particularlysuited for use in lower density bone but can be used also in hard bone.To this end, a dental implant having a variable profile thread includesa body having a coronal end and an apical end. The body includes atapered core adjacent the apical end. The core is not forming a straightline in cross section. The core is like a circular osteotomes so thedifference between the diameter of the core just coronally to a threadand the diameter of the core just apically to this thread is smallercompared to a regular tapered implant with the same angle of tapering. Avariable width helical thread extends along the tapered core. The threadhas an apical side, a coronal side, a lateral edge and a base touchingthe core of the implant. A height defined between the lateral edge andthe coronal edge. The width is defined by the length of the lateraledge. The variable width is expanded in the direction of the coronalend. As a result, the least width of the thread is adjacent the apicalend and the greatest width of the thread is adjacent the coronal end.The variable height is expanded in the direction of the apical end. As aresult, the least height of the thread is adjacent the coronal end andthe greatest height of the thread is adjacent the apical end. Theimplant has preferably two threads running along the implant. Thisimplant has two cones, one for the outer surface of the threads and thesecond for the inner surface of the threads meaning the core. The angleof the first cone is smaller than the angle of the second cone. Theimplant also has a spiral bone tap and coronal region with a smallertapering.

A principal advantage of this embodiment is that a dental implant isprovided that addresses the problems described above. It has a uniquecombination of implant body and thread profile that enhances stabilityin low-density bone but the insertion is easily done and the directionof the implant is dictated by the high apical threads that preventslipping of the implant.

The coronal region of the implant is preferably converging coronally.This region is to be placed below the bone level and the bone iscovering this region because the implant is designed to allow insertionwith a small diameter drill and to allow elastic expansion of thecortical bone. The presence of bone above the implant supports the gumsto achieve an esthetic result. In some preferred embodiments the implantis a one-piece implant preventing bone resorbtion. There are alsoprovided several novel prosthetic systems that fit the new implant butcan be also used for other implants.

Thus according to the teaching of the present invention there isprovided a dental implant comprising: a body; a coronal end of the body;an apical end of the body. The apical end having a tapered core withhelical thread extending along the tapered core, the apical end includesat least one region having coronal thread which is coronal to a coronalcore segment which is coronal to an apical thread which is coronal to anapical core segment, the region is designed so when the most apicalaspect of the border of the coronal core segment is continued by animaginary straight line apically through the apical thread the line willbe inside the apical core segment.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the core havinga variable width helical thread extending along the core, the threadhaving an apical side, a coronal side and a width defined between theapical and coronal sides, and the variable width being progressivelyexpanded substantially along the entire threaded region of the implantin the direction of the coronal end, so that a least width of the threadadjacent the apical end and a greatest width of the thread is adjacentthe coronal end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes at least one region having a tapered variable profile helicalthread extending along the core, the thread having an apical side, acoronal side, a lateral edge connecting the apical side and the coronalside, a base touching the core, a height defined between the lateraledge and the base, a variable length of the lateral edge beingprogressively expanded substantially along the region of the apical endin the direction of the coronal end, so that a least length of thelateral edge of the thread is adjacent the apical end and a greatestlength of the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent the coronal end,and a variable height being progressively expanded substantially alongthe entire threaded region of the implant in the direction of the apicalend, so that a least height of the thread is adjacent the coronal endand a greatest width of the thread is adjacent the apical end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical sideof the thread includes a flat shelf and the width of the thread isfurther defined by a circumferential face extending between the apicalside and the coronal side. According to a further feature of the presentinvention, the circumferential face has a flat face substantiallyperpendicular to the flat shelf and wherein the flat face has a widththat progressively expands from the apical end toward the coronal end.According to a further feature of the present invention, the flat facenarrows at the apical end and becomes sharp and thin.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the thread isself-tapping adjacent the apical end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, theself-tapping thread is spaced from the rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the borders ofthe core segments are forming parallel lines.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the borders ofthe core segments are not straight lines.

According to a further feature of the present invention, wherein thelateral edge is parallel to the long axis of the implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the body of theimplant is tapered and wherein the thread adjacent the apical end isself-tapping and adapted to cut bone.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a spiral tap, the spiral tap extends from one side of theimplant to the opposite side along more than a third of the length ofthe implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the mostcoronal aspect of the coronal end is tapered coronally forming narrowercoronal edge.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention a dental implant comprising: a body; a coronal end of thebody; an apical end of the body; the apical end having a core, theapical end includes at least one region having a tapered variableprofile helical thread extending along the core, the thread having anapical side, a coronal side, a lateral edge connecting the apical sideand the coronal side, a base touching the core, a height defined betweenthe lateral edge and the base, a variable length of the lateral edgebeing progressively expanded substantially along the region of theapical end in the direction of the coronal end, so that a least lengthof the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent the apical end and agreatest length of the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent thecoronal end, and a variable height being progressively expandedsubstantially along the entire threaded region of the implant in thedirection of the apical end, so that a least height of the thread isadjacent the coronal end and a greatest width of the thread is adjacentthe apical end. According to a further feature of the present invention,the apical side of the thread includes a flat shelf and the width of thethread is further defined by a circumferential face extending betweenthe apical side and the coronal side.

According to a further feature of the present invention, thecircumferential face has a flat face substantially perpendicular to theflat shelf and wherein the flat face has a width that progressivelyexpands from the apical end toward the coronal end. According to afurther feature of the present invention, the flat face narrows at theapical end and becomes sharp and thin.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the thread isself-tapping adjacent the apical end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, theself-tapping thread is spaced from the rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the lateraledge is parallel to the long axis of the implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the core istapered.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the threadadjacent the apical end is self-tapping and adapted to cut bone.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a spiral tap, the spiral tap extends from one side of theimplant to the opposite side along more than a third of the length ofthe implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the mostcoronal aspect of the coronal end is tapered coronally forming narrowercoronal edge.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the presentinvention a dental implant comprising: a body; a coronal end of thebody; an apical end of the body; the apical end having a tapered corewith helical tapered thread extending along the tapered core, the apicalend includes at least one region where the angle of the tapered core islarger than the angle of the helical tapered thread.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endhaving coronal thread which is coronal to a coronal core segment whichis coronal to an apical thread which is coronal to an apical coresegment, the region is designed so when the most apical aspect of theborder of the coronal core segment is continued by an imaginary straightline apically through the apical thread the line will be inside theapical core segment.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the core havinga variable width helical thread extending along at least one segment ofthe core, the thread having an apical side, a coronal side and a widthdefined between the apical and coronal sides, and the variable widthbeing progressively expanded substantially along the segment of theimplant in the direction of the coronal end, so that a least width ofthe thread adjacent the apical end and a greatest width of the thread isadjacent the coronal end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes at least one segment having a tapered variable profile helicalthread extending along the core, the thread having an apical side, acoronal side, a lateral edge connecting the apical side and the coronalside, a base touching the core, a height defined between the lateraledge and the base, a variable length of the lateral edge beingprogressively expanded substantially along the segment of the apical endin the direction of the coronal end, so that a least length of thelateral edge of the thread is adjacent the apical end and a greatestlength of the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent the coronal end,and a variable height being progressively expanded substantially alongthe segment of the implant in the direction of the apical end, so that aleast height of the thread is adjacent the coronal end and a greatestheight of the thread is adjacent the apical end.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical sideof the thread includes a flat shelf and the width of the thread isfurther defined by a circumferential face extending between the apicalside and the coronal side. According to a further feature of the presentinvention, the circumferential face has a flat face substantiallyperpendicular to the flat shelf and wherein the flat face has a widththat progressively expands from the apical end toward the coronal end.According to a further feature of the present invention, the flat facenarrows at the apical end and becomes sharp and thin.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the threadadjacent the apical end is self-tapping.

According to a further feature of the present invention, theself-tapping thread is spaced from the rounded region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the borders ofthe core segments are forming straight parallel lines.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the borders ofthe core segments are not straight lines.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the lateraledge is parallel to the long axis of the implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the body of theimplant is tapered and wherein the thread adjacent the apical end isself-tapping and adapted to cut bone.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the apical endincludes a spiral tap, the spiral tap extends from one side of theimplant to the opposite side along more than a third of the length ofthe implant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the mostcoronal aspect of the coronal end is tapered coronally forming narrowercoronal edge.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the coronallytapered aspect has a surface designed to be in contact with bone.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the coronallytapered aspect is designed to allow elastic expansion of the bone whileinserting the wider area of the coronally tapered aspect inside the boneand after insertion of the narrow area of the coronally tapered aspectthe bone relapses to cover the coronally tapered aspect. According to afurther feature of the present invention, the implant has more than onethread.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the threadsreach the coronally tapered aspect.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the implant hasthreads on the coronally tapered region.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the implantincludes a protruding element configured to protrude through the gums toallow the connection to a dental prosthesis.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the protrudingelement and the implant are one piece.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the protrudingelement includes at least one region with an anti-rotational element.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the protrudingelement is tapered coronally.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the protrudingelement is designed to get a wider collar that mimics the emergenceprofile of a natural tooth.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the protrudingelement is configured to be attached to an abutment from the side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view illustrating an embodiment of a dentalimplant of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a regular tapered dental.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a dentalimplant of the present invention having a gradual condensing core.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a dentalimplant of the present invention with rounded borders of the coresegments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the novel implant.

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of adental implant of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a side elevation view illustrating another side of theimplant of FIG. 7A

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of adental implant of the present invention with an inversed tapering of thecoronal end.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of adental implant of the present invention as one piece with the abutment.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of adental implant of the present invention as one piece with the abutment.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of adental implant of the present invention with an abutment forcementation.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of aone-piece dental implant with a coronally tapered coronal region.

FIG. 13A-D are side elevations views illustrating different types ofanti-rotational element that can be used with the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14A is a side elevation view illustrating a full anatomical angledabutment to be fitted over the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14B is a side elevation view illustrating a full anatomicalstraight abutment to be fitted over the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view illustrating a bulky straight abutmentto be fitted over the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15B is a side elevation view illustrating a bulky angled abutmentto be fitted over the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16A is a side elevation view illustrating a gingival antomic collarto be fitted over the implant of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16B is a top view illustrating the collar of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of aone-piece dental implant with a coronally tapered coronal region.

FIG. 17B is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment anabutment to be fitted over the implant of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 17A with theabutment of FIG. 17B.

FIG. 17D is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment a collarto be fitted over the implant of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17E is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 17A with thecollar of FIG. 17D.

FIG. 17F is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 17A with a ballattachment.

FIG. 17G is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 17A with a crown.

FIG. 17H is a perspective view of the implants of FIG. 17A with abridge.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view illustrating an abutment with lockingmechanism.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of animplant with locking mechanism to the abutment.

FIG. 20A is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of aone-piece dental implant with a coronally tapered coronal regionconfigured to allow the abutment to be seated from the side.

FIG. 20B is a perspective view illustrating a straight abutment to beseated from the side on the implant of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C is a side elevation view of the abutment of FIG. 20B.

FIG. 20D is a side elevation view of the implant of FIG. 20A with theabutment of FIG. 20B.

FIG. 20E is a side elevation view of the implant of FIG. 20A with anangled abutment.

FIG. 20F is a perspective view of the abutment of FIG. 20B with anexternal anti-rotational element.

FIG. 20G is a side elevation view illustrating another embodiment of aone-piece dental implant with a spherical coronal regional configured toallow the abutment to be seated from the side or to be used as a ballattachment.

FIG. 20H is a side elevation view of an abutment with an angled ballattachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure illustrates an embodiment of the novel tapered condensing dentalimplant. There are five elements in a dental implant that influence thecondensation, insertion and stabilization of the implant. 1) The core ofthe implant 40. 2) The Threads 41. 3) The most apical region 42 whichtouches the bone first. 4) The bone tap 43. 5) The most coronal region44 which engages the cortical bone and the sometimes also the gums.

In order to have good stabilization in low density bone it isrecommended to use small diameter drill and tapered implant. AS thediameter of the drill is smaller and the implant is more tapered thebone is more preserved and more condensed resulting in improvedstabilization, but the insertion is more difficult. In this casecontrolling the exact path of insertion of the implant becomes also moredifficult sine the implant has a tendency to slip towards the regionwith the lowest density. In order to use a small diameter drill and animplant with significant tapered configuration all five elements of theimplant have to be designed to allow an easy insertion and good controlon the final position of the implant.

In order to clarify the novelty of the new implant it will be comparedto a regular tapered implant like the implant illustrated in FIG. 2. Theimplant has a coronal end 12 and an apical end 14. The implant has fivedistinct regions. At the most coronal aspect is an implant-prostheticinterface region 16. Moving from the coronal to the apical ends theimplant can have an optional mechanical stop region (not shown), anoptional cylindrical region (not shown), a tapered region 22, and a bonecutting end region 24 which is self drilling and self tapping. Aninternal threaded portion 25 is provided for the attachment ofprosthetic components.

The interface region 16 provides mechanical interlock between theimplant and the prosthetic components (not shown) attached to theimplant. Interface region 16 also provides a means of applying torque tothe implant and thus driving the implant into the selected site. Theinterface region 16 can be any of a number of known interfaces,including external splines or polygons, or internal geometric shapessuch as polygons or Morse tapers.

The optional mechanical stop region can be sharply tapered so that whenthe implant is screwed into a prepared osteotomy, the stop limitsinadvertently placing the implant too deeply.

The shape of the core can be seen in segments 10 in the spaces betweenthe threads in cross-sectional view FIG. 2. When connecting the outerborder of these segments in all the tapered implants known in the fieldstraight lines 8 are formed as illustrated in FIG. 2. This configurationcauses strong resistance for insertion. In the present invention whenconnecting the outer border of these segments, imaginary segment lines 5are formed as illustrated in FIG. 3. This configuration enables gradualcondensation since the diameter of the lower aspect of each segment isclose to the upper diameter of the previous apical segment. This gradualcondensation of the core allow for easy insertion of the implant withoutloosing the final condensation and stability since the difference in thediameter between two adjacent core segments is the same, allowing it toact as if it is a regular implant like the implant in FIG. 2. However,the final condensation is even greater since the core condenses the bonewith a more tapered core. The angles of the imaginary segment lines 5 ofthe core segments in FIG. 3 of the novel implant are greater than theangles of the lines 8 of the regular tapered implant of FIG. 2.Therefore, the implant of FIG. 3 has an overall shape that is taperedlike the implant of FIG. 2 (the angle between lines 8) but condenses thebone like a more tapered implant (the angle between imaginary segmentlines 5) and allows gradual condensation to facilitate insertion.

The imaginary segment lines 5 of FIG. 3 which are the continuation ofthe border of the core segments 10 are parallel and straight. Theimaginary segment lines 5 are at an angle X relative to a longitudinalaxis 9 of the dental implant. An imaginary core line 30 of FIG. 6 runsalong the points where the coronal sides of at least some core segmentmeets the thread. The imaginary core line is at an angle Y relative tothe longitudinal axis, which in some embodiment is a smaller angle thanangle X. This is one preferred embodiment, but there are other shapes ofthe border of the core segments that will function similarly. We canexamine this character of the core of the implant for example in FIG. 4that illustrates a dental implant with a rounded border of the coresegment. By continuing the border of a core segment 4 positionedcoronaly to a thread 6 through the thread 6 by imaginary line 7. If theimaginary line enters inside the core segment 3 apically to the thread 6it will function the same to allow gradual condensation, but thecondensation is strong only on the apical region of the core border. Thepreferred embodiment with straight border lines FIG. 3 allows forgradual condensation along all the border so the insertion is smoother.

The threads preferably have a variable profile. The tapered region 22 ofFIG. 5 has on its external surfaces a thread 28 of novel profile. Theexternal thread 28 includes a progressively changing profile. At theapical end 14, the thread 28 is sharp narrow and high in order tofacilitate cutting and self-tapping into bone. As the thread 28progresses towards the implant coronal end 12, its tip becomesincreasingly broad or wider in the apical-coronal direction andincreasingly lower in the horizontal direction in cross-sectionalprofile. The increasing breadth of thread 28 facilitates compression oflow-density bone previously tapped by the sharp apical thread profile.Bone compression increases the stability of the implant. The decreasingheight allows easy insertion and dictates that the implant will keep itsfirst direction while it is inserted. As the thread 28 progresses fromcoronal to apical ends, 12 and 14 respectively, of the implant, thethread 28 becomes sharper, thinner and higher. Thread 28 is profiled sothat a path cut or created in the bone is gradually broadened bycompression due to the progressively broader thread 28. In thispreferred embodiment the threads are tapered and the core is moretapered resulting in higher threads at the apical region. Thisconfiguration is suitable also for very dense bone. In highly dense bonesometimes the blood supply is compromised resulting in implant failure.The novel implant of FIG. 5 has high and spaced threads leaving spacesbetween them after insertion to hard bone following drilling with a widedrill. These spaces will promote blood vessels proliferation and boneregeneration.

FIG. 6 more particularly illustrates the variable profile thread 28.Each turn T of thread 28 is of a different profile from each other turnT of thread 28. For example, implant includes a plurality of turnsT.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, . . . T.sub.N. Each turn T includes an apicalside A and a coronal side C and flat face F connecting A and C. Thelength of F varies by being continuously expanded in the direction ofthe coronal end 12. The length of A and C varies by being continuouslyexpanded in the direction of the apical end 14.

As such, a first turn T.sub.1, includes an apical side A.sub.1, acoronal side C1, and F.sub.1. A second turn T.sub.2 includes an apicalside A.sub.2, a coronal side C.sub.2, and a F.sub.2. The same pattern isrepeated for turns T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3, . . . T.sub.N. so that aleast length F.sub.1, of the thread 28 is adjacent the apical end 14,and a greatest length F.sub.N is adjacent the coronal end 12. The leastlength A.sub.N, of the thread 28 is adjacent the corona! end 12, and agreatest length A.sub.1 is adjacent the apical end 14. The least lengthC.sub.N, of the thread 28 is adjacent the coronal end 12, and a greatestlength C.sub.1 is adjacent the apical end 14. The apical side of thethread can be a flat shelf perpendicular to the long axis 9 of theimplant or with a non 90 degrees angle to the long axis of the implantas illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, the external thread 28 mayhave a flat shelf and rounded tip, which are most pronounced at thethread's coronal end 12. The flat shelf provides support against implantmicro-motion imposed by axial loads, particularly important inlow-density bone. The tip of the thread F can be flat or rounded. Theangle of the each thread segment meaning the angle between A and C ofFIG. 6 is about 60 degree. To allow cutting of the bone a more sharpangle is preferred at 30-40 degree preferably at 35 degree. Preferablyall the threads have the same angle between A and C. In anotherpreferred embodiment the angle between A and C is gradually increasedcoronally to get more condensation for soft bone or gradually decreasedcoronally for hard bone.

In the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1,5,6, a circumferential face F isincluded on some turns of thread 28. The face F is preferably flat andis not included on the self-tapping portion of the thread 28, adjacentthe apical end 14, but is provided as each turn progressively widenstoward the coronal end 12. The face F preferably parallel to the longaxis 9 of the implant but it can be also angled.

The threads are also tapered. The imaginary thread lines 23 of FIGS. 5and 6 connecting the tips of the threads are not parallel to thelongitudinal axis 9 of the implant. These imaginary thread lines 23 areat an angle Z relative to the longitudinal axis 9, as illustrated inFIG. 6. In some embodiments, angle Z is smaller than angle Y and angle Yis smaller than angle X. The threads are tapered and at the same timebecome higher apically because the core of the implant is more taperedthan the threads. The fact that the width of the apical region of theimplant is smaller than the coronal region allows the use of a smalldrill therefore preserving the bone. The sharp apical threads enter thesmall hole in the bone and start cutting the bone. The next thread iswider in the coronal apical direction and the implant is wider causingcompression of the bone but since the height of the thread is less thanthe previous thread the thread stays in the path created in the bone bythe previous thread therefore preventing slipping of the implant to aregion with even lower density bone. The fact that the height of thethreads become smaller as going coronally allows for gradual compressionof the bone and facilitate insertion. The combination of a gradualtapered compressing core as described above with a gradual compressingtapered thread as described here is the preferred embodiment. Theimplant preferably has more than one thread. An implant with doublethread each thread with a double step allows insertion in half the turnsneeded for an implant with one thread while keeping the outer surfaceand the stability of the implant. The implant can have more than twothreads.

The most apical region of the implant can have two preferredconfigurations. One is smooth round design, this design is suitable forcases that the implant is near the Schneiderian membrane of themaxillary sinus or near the mandibular nerve in order to prevent damageto these delicate tissues. In this design the threads start with adistance from the apical end. The second design of the most apicalregion illustrated in FIGS. 7 A and B is to have sharp blades that cutthe bone and allow easy insertion. There are several variations for theshape of the blades, which are well known in the dental implant field.Implants with this apical design are called self drilling implants.

The bone tap of the implant influence the insertion. The presence of abone tap allows the insertion of the implant without previous taping ofthe bone. Implants with a tap are called self tapping implants. The tapcan be straight or oblique or spiral. The preferred design is the spiralbone tap to facilitate insertion. The tap 60 as illustrated in FIG. 7 islong and going through more than a third of the length of the implantcrossing several threads. Preferably the tap extends along more thanhalf of the implant. The tap is not straight but surrounding theimplant. The tap starts at on side of the implant FIG. 7 A and extendsto the other side FIG. 7B. The whole tap can't be seen from one place.This design of the tap facilitate insertion so when the implant isinserted only part of one thread is cutting the bone therefore theresistance for insertion is lower. This configuration together with thedesign of the thread as described above also dictates that the implantwill stay in its original path of insertion by forcing the next threadto go into the slot in the bone prepared by the previous thread. Thisfeature is enhanced by the presence of a double thread. The implant canhave more than one tap preferably two.

The most coronal region of the implant also influences the insertion andstabilization of the implant. This region includes the interface region.There are several types of interfaces like splines whereas, theinterface region 16′ of a single-stage embodiment of FIG. 5, mayoptionally include a socket having a plurality of sides, e.g. a hexsocket. Also, the embodiment of FIG. 1 does not include a sharplytapered mechanical stop as but instead includes a gradually taperedportion 18. The gradually tapered portion 18 allows for more freedom inplacement depth to adjust the distance that the trans-gingival collarprotrudes from the bone. However, an alternate single-stage embodimentcan include a coronal region 44 including a second angled portion 19which acts as a stop.

When an implant is completely sharply tapered as are the implantsdescribed above its most coronal region becomes very broad. This broadcoronal is appropriate for regions with very low density cortical bonesince it compress the cortical bone. In cases the cortical bone is notvery soft this can interfere with the insertion of the implant. Thereare also clinical evidences that when the coronal region is broad theblood supply to the bone around the implant is disturbed resulting inhigher incidence of bone resorbtion and implant failure. Therefore ifthe cortical bone is not very soft the coronal region preferably shouldbe less tapered then the body of the implant. The most coronal part ofthe coronal region is even preferably inversed tapered 48 as illustratedin FIG. 8.

The implant can include internal threads 63 for connection to theprosthetic part as illustrated in FIG. 5. In case the bone is verynarrow the core has to be also very narrow. When the core is very narrowit can't include internal threads, so the implant can come in one piecewith abutment. In these embodiments the coronal supragingival partserves for insertion of the implant and also as an abutment to supportthe future prosthetics. FIG. 8 illustrates such an embodiment with anarrow region 71 between the part of the implant that is to be insidethe bone 72 and the abutment part 73 which is tapered to allowconnection to a prosthetic element like a crown. The narrow region 71allows good attachment of the gums to the implant therefore preventsbone loss. The abutment region can include an internal anti-rotationalelement or external anti-rotational element 76 that will serve for theinsertion of the implant. FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of thenovel implant as one piece with the abutment. The narrow gingival region71 is longer than the embodiment of FIG. 8. In this embodiment aninternal hexagon 74 is used for the insertion of the implant. FIG. 10illustrates another embodiment like the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 butthe abutment element 73 is wider and grinding is needed to get the shapeof a normal abutment like the dotted line 77. This design allows easypreparation of the abutment in cases that the implant is placed with anangle to the path of insertion of the prosthetic element. FIG. 11resembles the implant of FIG. 10 but in this embodiment grinding theabutment of the implant is almost no needed. The implant has a round rod80 protruding coronally above the gingival region 71. The abutment 82has an internal bore 83 matching the round rod 80 of the implant. Theabutment is tilted so after placing the abutment on the implant theangle of the abutment can be changed by rotating the abutment 82 aroundthe rod 80. When the desired position of the abutment 82 is decided theabutment 82 can be glued to the implant. In another preferred embodimentthe rod has around its base an anti rotational element 87 matching ananti-rotational element in the abutment. This configuration preventsmovements of the abutment while it is cemented to the implant and canalso help in taking impression of the implants to prepare the abutmentsin a dental laboratory.

In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 the coronallytapered region 85 is placed inside the bone so the bone can grow abovethis region. The tapered region 90 is below the bone level 91. Theheight of the coronally tapered region 85 is 0.5-4 mm. Preferably theheight is 1-3 mm and for most cases 1.3-2.5 mm depending on the diameterof the implant.

The implant is preferably one piece because of two reasons: A. Thecoronal region is narrow and placing a thread or a bore inside thisregion will reduce the mechanical strength of the implant. B. Theconnection to a prosthetic element results in most cases with thecreation of a micro-gap between the implant and the prosthetic element.This micro-gap can be colonized by bacteria that release toxinsresulting in bone resorbtion. A one piece implant is mechanically strongand has no micro-gap.

The thread of the implant has preferably high step. The most commonimplants has thread step of about 0.6 mm. The present implant haspreferably a thread step of 1.5-2.5 mm preferably the step is 2.1 mm.Preferably the implant has double thread meaning two threads withdifferent beginnings running along the implant. This configurationcauses that for every point of one thread there is a thread at theopposite side of the implant at the same vertical level. The threadswhen are inserted into the bone are creating slots. The double threadcreates two opposite steep slots in the bone for every bone segment.These slots facilitate the insertion of the implant because the bone iseasily expanded. The presence of two opposite slots in the bone thateach one is created by a thread of more than 1.5 mm and preferably of2.1 mm thread step allows this expansion. A regular thread of 0.6 mmwill create almost horizontal slots in the bone resulting in crushing ofthe bone instead of expansion. Because of the slots the bone is notcrushed but elastically expanded The threads begins preferably at thewider area of the coronally tapered region 92 so when this wider areareaches the bone the bone has already two points in the bone havingbetween them approximately the diameter of this wide region so this wideregion is pushing the bone at the other direction and the bone segmentsbetween the slots are displaced from each other and come back to theiroriginal location after the wide region is inserted more inside thebone. These bone segments between the slots can relapse to theiroriginal location because the coronal segment 90 is tapered coronally.This process will occur for every point along the bone where thecoronally tapered region 90 is inserted inside the bone since thisregion is just above the beginning of the threads. The end result is atapered region inside the bone covered with bone. Preferably the threadscontinue over the coronally tapered region 90 as illustrated in FIG. 12.In this configuration the wider region 92 is not a circle but resemblesmore an ellipse since the double thread that extends along the coronallytapered region reduce its diameter in one direction. This configurationfacilitate the insertion of the wide region 92 inside the bone becausethe longer diameter of this ellipse is inserted to the slots in thebone. The insertion of a coronally tapered region with more than onethread on it allows elastic expansion of the bone and the bone iscovering this tapered region after insertion inside the bone. The bestresults are achieved if the height of the intra-bony coronally taperedregion 85 is close to the thread step. Preferably the height of theintra-bony coronaly tapered region 85 is higher than a half of thethread step.

In another preferred embodiment the threads are along the entirecoronally tapered region. The threads can be the same as the threadsalong the implant but in another preferred embodiment can be smaller inthe thread step and the thread height. The presence of a small thread ormicro-thread in this region can allow better distribution of the forcesto the cortical bone.

In operation, the implant can be placed into a pre-drilled osteotomysite that either matches the external diameter of the implant body, thatis, the narrowest diameter between threads, or into a site that isnarrower than the external diameter of the implant. Placing the implantinto a narrower site will provide additional bone compression, andtherefore greater initial stability. The drill can be straight ortapered. Preferably the drill is straight and the diameter is dictatedby the density of the bone. For soft bone the last drill has smalldiameter and even insertion can be done without drilling. In hard bone awider drill should be used and the spaces between the bone and the coreof the implant will be filled with blood vessels while the implant isstabilized by the high threads.

The implant of FIG. 12 is a one piece implant that has a protrudingelement 93 that extends from the bone level through the gums to the oralcavity. This protruding element is preferably tapered coronally and canserve for receiving a crown like a prepared tooth. The protrudingelement can serve for receiving an abutment 121. This tapered protrudingelement 93 preferably includes an anti-rotational element of any kind.Examples of anti-rotational elements are illustrated in FIG. 13 A-D.FIG. 13A illustrates several protrusions which can have an under-cut forreceiving a matching transfer copping, FIG. 13B illustrates one or twoprotrusions or slots, FIG. 13C illustrates tapered slots, FIG. 13Dillustrates a hexagon or any polygon and any other anti rotationaloption ellipse, stars, splines etc. The abutment 121 preferably includesa matching anti rotational element. The anti rotational element can beused with a mating transfer coping 94, an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 13D, for impressions and for the insertion of theimplant. There are several types of matching abutments. FIG. 14illustrates examples of full anatomical abutments 120. The abutmentshave an anatomical gingival aspect 95 which matches the subgingival andgingival anatomy of different teeth. This configuration allows the crownto emerge from the gums like a natural tooth giving the best estheticresult. The external shape 96 matches the shapes of prepared teeth. Theabutment can be straight or can be angled according to the angle betweenthe long axis of the implant and the axis of the crown. The exactlocation of the angled abutment is maintained by the anti-rotationalelement of the implant and inside the abutment. The shape can beadditionally prepared to fit any particular case. The abutment hasinternal socket 97 matching the protruding element 93 of the implant.FIG. 14A is an example of an angled central incisor. The internal socket97 goes through whole the abutment. In case the protruding element 93 ofthe implant protrudes outside the abutment as it is in FIG. 14A theexcess of the protruding element can be grinded. FIG. 14B illustrates anexample for an abutment for a straight premolar with an internal socketthat is closed coronally. The internal socket 97 preferably is designedso most apical region of the abutment will stay above the bone level atleast 0.5. For most cases 1-3 mm preferably 1.2-1.7 mm because thisregion has the potential to develop a micro-gap and bone resorbtion.

The abutments 121 can be bulky preferably having anatomical gingivalaspect as the abutments 121 of FIG. 15. This configuration should beprepared by the dentist or at the dental laboratory to desired shape.FIG. 15A illustrates a straight bulky abutment and FIG. 15B illustratesan angled bulky abutment.

In another preferred embodiment the protruding element 93 of the implantcan receive a gingival anatomical collar 122. This collar 122 matchesthe subgingival and gingival anatomy of different teeth and theprotruding element extends through this collar coronally. The collar 122can be of different heights or can be seated at different distances fromthe bone according to the width of the gingival tissue and according toesthetic consideration. Preferably the collar 122 is left above the bonelevel as described above for the abutments in FIG. 14, 15. An example ofa collar 122 is illustrated in FIG. 16. FIG. 16A is a side view and FIG.16B is a top view of a collar 122 fitted on the protruding element 93 ofthe implant.

In case the protruding element is converging coronally by usingdifferent sockets sizes inside the abutments and collars the distancefrom the bone to the abutment or collar can be determined. As the socketis larger the abutment or collar can be inserted more close to the bone.The collar or abutment can be inserted at the time of inserting theimplant allowing the gums to heal around the collar to receive the rightshape. In this case the collar or abutments serve as a healing cap. Theimplant can be left without a healing cap or can receive a standardhealing cap that looks like a cylindrical bulky abutment.

The assembly of the abutments and collars with the implant isillustrated in perspective views in FIG. 17. FIG. 17A is an example of apreferred embodiment of the implant, FIG. 17B is an example of an angledabutment 123. FIG. 17C illustrates the implant with abutment 121. FIG.17D is a perspective view of a collar 122, FIG. 17E illustrates theimplant with the collar 122. FIG. 17F illustrates the implant with aball attachment 124. FIG. 17G illustrates the implant with a crown 125.FIG. 17H illustrates the implant with a bridge 126. The height of theprotruding element 93 is reduced before the ball attachment is seated.The abutments are above the bone level 91 leaving a narrow area 98 toallow the gums to grow and seal the bone from the oral cavity. Theabutments and collars can be made from any biocompatible material suchas titanium zirconium or gold or from ceramic materials.

There are several ways to assure a good connection between theprotruding element and the abutment or collar. The abutment or collarcan be glued to the protruding element. The abutment can be manufacturedto fit very accurately to the protruding element so when using someforce the abutment is tightly seated over the protruding element and thefriction is keeping it in place. In these cases preferably the abutmenthas at least one point with an under-cut to allow the dentist to takethe abutment out using a crown remover. In another preferred embodimentthe abutment has a locking mechanism. FIG. 18 illustrates an example ofa locking mechanism. The protruding element 93 can have a small notch 99or a slot and the abutment can have a small hole 100 placed to fit thenotch 99. Into this hole 100 a small pin can be forced from the side toget inside the notch 99 and lock the abutment to the protruding elementpreventing it from going coronally. In another preferred embodiment, toallow taking the abutment out easily, the hole can include a thread andthe abutment is locked by a small screw coming from the side into thenotch or the slot 99. In another preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 19 the protruding element can be made of several fingers 101 and ahole 102 in the center of the protruding element. After an hollowabutment 103 is seated on the protruding element a small pin is insertedinside the hole 102 and force the fingers 101 to push the inner aspectof the abutment therefore the abutment is strongly connected to theprotruding element. In another preferred embodiment at the base of theprotruding element below the point where the fingers are separated thereis a thread 104 and instead of a pin a small screw is screwed inside thehole to the internal thread 104. The screw has a region that itsdiameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole 102 so as thescrew is inserted more deeply the fingers are pushed stronger towardsthe abutment. This configuration allows taking the abutment out easily.

In another preferred embodiment of a one-piece implant illustrated inFIG. 20 the abutment is seated from the side. The implant illustrated inFIG. 20A has a broad region 105 above the narrow region 98. From thisbroad region protrudes a low element of 0.5-3 mm height preferably of1-2 mm with an anti-rotational mechanism like a hex 106. Above this lowelement 106 there is preferably a wide tapered element 107. The abutmentillustrated in FIG. 20B has a slot that fits the low element 106 and thewide tapered element 107 of the implant. FIG. 20B is a perspective viewof the abutment looking from the side with the slot. FIG. 20C is a sideview of the abutment. The dotted line 108 shows the internal slot fromthe side. FIG. 20D shows the abutment of FIG. 20 B-C on the implant ofFIG. 20A. FIG. 20E illustrates the implant with an angled abutment. Theabutments of FIG. 20 are inserted from the side to fit theanti-rotational element 106 of the implant. The abutment can't movecoronally because of the wide tapered element 107 but it can move to theside. To prevent the movement to the side there are several ways 1) amatching cap 109 can be seated on top of the abutment or the crown canbe used for this purpose. 2) The abutment can have holes in the walls ofthe slot below the height of the wide tapered element 107 so a screw ora pin can be inserted from the side below the wide tapered element 107touching the low element 106. The hole 115 can be seen from the side inFIG. 20C. 3) A ligature can be inserted between the holes 115 and theempty space below the wide tapered element filled with a dental fillingmaterial or just the filling material like composite filling. (theabutment can have a slot all around and a ligature is placed in theslot) 4) The abutment can be manufactured to tightly fit the implant andto be inserted by force.

The slot of the angled abutment of FIG. 20E can be on the left side ofthe abutment of FIG. 20E meaning at the opposite side to the directionof the tilt of the angled abutment leaving an empty space 110 below thewide tapered element 107 on the left or the slot can be at the rightside meaning at the direction of the tilt of the angled abutment leavingan empty space 111 below the wide tapered element 107 on the right orthe slot can be in other directions in relation to the direction of thetilt of the angled abutment. The empty space when using a matching cap109 or a crown is closed. The empty space can be filled with a dentalfilling material. The matching cap 109 or the crown can be cemented toabutment or the matching cap be tightly fitted to the abutment seated byfriction. In a preferred embodiment the matching cap 109 or the crownare screwed to the abutment. The matching cap 109 in FIG. 20E or thecrown can have a small hole preferably with a thread 112 so a small pinor a screw can be inserted through the hole to the empty space 111 (or110 if the hole is in the other direction). This small screw is lockingthe abutment and the matching cap to the implant. Because there are atleast two types of angled abutments, according to the location of thehole in respect to the direction of the tilt of the abutment, thedentist can decide where to place the screw for a screwed crown orbridge. The place of the screw is important for the esthetic result. Ifan implant is angled buccaly for all the common abutments in the marketthe screw is coming from buccal leaving a hole in the buccal aspect ofthe crown which is very difficult to cover. Screws coming from the sideare known but demand a very difficult work from the laboratory. Theembodiment of FIG. 20 allows having a simple screwed restoration fromthe side which is easily retrievable and esthetic. In another preferredembodiment the abutments of FIG. 20B and FIG. 20E have on their outersurface an anti-rotational mechanism to prevent the rotation of thematching cap or the crown. In these embodiments the matching cap and thecrown have also an internal anti-rotational mechanism fitting theanti-rotational mechanism of the abutment. FIG. 20F is illustrating anembodiment of an abutment with an anti rotational mechanism like a hex113. The wide tapered element 107 of the implant can also include ananti-rotational element preferably compatible with the anti-rotationalelement of the low region 106 of the implant for example both with ahex. In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20G instead ofthe wide tapered region there is a spherical shape 114. Thisconfiguration allows the implant to be used as a ball attachment tosupport dental removable prosthesis. This preferred embodiment enables avariety of restorative possibilities: cemented restoration, screwedrestorations and removable restorations. In the embodiment of FIG. 20Gthe healing cup instead of being inserted from the side can have aninternal elastic element fitted to hold the ball 114 of the implant sothe healing cap is inserted and removed vertically by some force. Inanother preferred embodiment the implants of FIG. 20 can also receivefrom the side a gingival collar as described in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. Inanother preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20H the abutment (orthe matching cap) has an angled ball attachment. This configurationallows the dentist to achieve parallelism between the ball attachmentsof several implants which is difficult to achieve in the commonrestorative systems.

The protruding element with the anti rotational element 106-107 can bealso used for the insertion of the implant and for impressions usingmatching transfer copings. The advantage of this embodiment is that theabutment can't be detached as long as the crown is in place and there isno need to grind the protruding element when using angled abutments orshort abutments as it is the case is some of the previous embodimentsThe embodiment of FIG. 20 is one example but any other configurationwith a protruding element that has an under-cut can function similarlyto allow connection of an abutment from the side.

All the embodiment demonstrating an anti-rotational element on theimplant preferably have a compatible anti-rotational element on theabutment or collar. The number of the protrusions or slots or angles ofthe anti-rotational element don't have to be the same for the implantand the abutment as long as the abutment can be seated on the implant.

All the abutments and collars described above can come in differentheights, different widths and different angles and to be seated atdifferent heights from the bone level. They also can have differentheights and widths of the subgingival part and different heights andwidths of the supragingival part.

All the embodiments of implants of the present invention can haveseveral surfaces. The implant can have machine surface but preferablycan have rough surface like TiUnite, S.L.A, Osseotite, Hydroxyapatite orbioactive surface that has growth factors and active proteins likeB.M.P. The rough surface preferably is along the intrabony part of theimplant and preferably also extending to the narrow region 98 of theimplant.

As a result, the above embodiments provide unique advantages byproviding a dental implant fixture particularly suited for use in lowerdensity bone, such as that found in the posterior mandible and maxilla.The implant features a tapered profile and a unique external threadprofile that offers superior stability when it is implanted in lowdensity bone while insertion is easy. The implant tapers down indiameter optionally beginning at a point about 1-3 mm from below the topsurface of the implant. The external thread is also tapered and changesprofile from the coronal to the apical ends of the implant fixture,having a sharp, narrow and high profile at the extreme apical end,particularly suited for cutting into non-tapped bone, and having abroad, rounded and low profile at the coronal end, particularly suitedfor compression of bone tapped by the thread at the apical end. Further,the thread profile optionally has a flat shelf on its apical aspect,being most pronounced at the coronal end of the implant and being lesspronounced at the apical end of the implant. At its coronal end, theimplant has an optional flared region that acts as a mechanical stop,serving to limit over-insertion of the implant into soft bone. At itsapical end, the implant optionally has a round, blunt shape and aset-back thread in the event the implant comes in advertent contact withnon-osseous structures. The implant can be of one piece and havecoronally converging intra-bony region near the coronal cortical bone.

The combination of all the aspect described above the coronal region,the core, the threads and the apical region allows to produce an implantthat is easily inserted although the drilling is minimal, to easilydictate the location of the implant, to allow good stabilization in thebone and to allow the bone to be above the intra-bony coronally taperedregion. The presence of bone above this region supports the gums andmaintains their desired configuration especially the height of the gumsbetween the teeth called papilla which is very important for theesthetic result. This bone is preserved since the implant allowsdrilling with a small diameter drill and the core is tapered and thethreads are tapered with variable thread design and the coronal regionis inversed tapered. Only the combination of all the features and therelationship between them can lead to an implant that allows the bestesthetic result.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

1. A dental implant comprising: a body; a coronal region of the body; anapical region of the body, the apical region having a core with atapered region wherein a diameter at an apical end of the core issmaller than a diameter at a coronal end of the core; and a helicalthread extending along at least a portion of the apical region; whereinthe apical end of the core is substantially flat and wherein the threadcomprises an apical side, a coronal side, and a lateral edge connectingthe apical side and the coronal side, a base connecting the thread tothe tapered core, a thread height defined between the lateral edge andthe base, the lateral edge having a variable width that is expandedalong a segment in the direction of the coronal end, so that a leastwidth of the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent the apical end and agreatest width of the lateral edge of the thread is adjacent the coronalend, and the thread having a variable height that is expandedsubstantially along the segment of the implant in the direction of theapical end, so that a least height of the thread is adjacent the coronalend and a greatest height at apical portion of the thread.
 2. Theimplant of claim 1, wherein the thread extends to an edge of the apicalend of the body.
 3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the thread adjacentthe apical end is self-tapping.
 4. The implant of claim 1, wherein theapical end includes a spiral tap, the spiral tap extends from one sideof the implant to the opposite side along more than a third of thelength of the implant.
 5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implanthas more than one thread.
 6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implantincludes a protruding element configured to protrude through the gums toallow the connection to a dental prosthesis.
 7. The implant of claim 6,wherein the protruding element and the implant are one piece.
 8. Theimplant of claim 6, wherein the protruding element is configured to beattached to an abutment from the side.
 9. The implant of claim 1,wherein the an apical end of the thread begins at the substantially flatapical end of the core and the apical end of the thread has a threadheight that is greater than the thread height at the coronal end of thethread.
 10. A dental implant comprising: a body; a coronal region of thebody; an apical region of the body, the apical region having a core witha tapered region wherein a diameter at an apical end of the core issmaller than a diameter at a coronal end of the core; and a helicalthread extending along at least a portion of the apical region; whereinthe apical end of the core is substantially flat and wherein the threadcomprises an apical side, a coronal side, and a lateral edge connectingthe apical side and the coronal side, a base connecting the thread tothe core, a thread height defined between the lateral edge and the base,the thread having a variable height that is expanded substantially alongthe segment of the implant in the direction of the apical end, so that aleast height of the thread is adjacent the coronal end and a greatestheight at apical portion of the thread, and wherein the an apical end ofthe thread begins at the substantially flat apical end of the core andthe apical end of the thread has a thread height that is greater thanthe thread height at the coronal end of the thread
 11. The implant ofclaim 10, wherein the coronal region of the body has a frustoconicalshape wherein a diameter of an apical end of the coronal region islarger than a diameter of a coronal end of the coronal region.